Joinville to Caxias do Sul is about 388 road miles (624 km): roughly 8 h 11 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Brazil: informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados).
Full advisory: Brazil. Advisory issued: Brazil August 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Brazil: “Use caution when walking or driving at night.”
| Distance | 388 mi (624 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 8 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | BR-101 → ERS-486 → BR-453 |
| States on the route | Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 15.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 9 |
What the drive from Joinville to Caxias do Sul is like
BR-101 (286 mi) and ERS-486 (58 mi) carry about 89% of the 388 miles. It runs through 2 states: Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul. Of the 9 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Joinville and Caxias do Sul
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–5 | 5 | Santa Catarina |
| BR-101 | 5–291 | 286 | Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul |
| connecting roads | 291–292 | 1 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| ERS-486 | 292–350 | 58 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| BR-453 | 350–383 | 33 | Rio Grande do Sul |
| local roads | 383–388 | 5 | Rio Grande do Sul |
- Mile 264 of this route: Santa Catarina → Rio Grande do Sul (state line)
What to see on the way from Joinville to Caxias do Sul
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): São Miguel Aqueduct (mile 94), Museu Willy Zumblick (mile 184)
- Nature and outdoors: Praia do Pinho (mile 63), Praia das Taquaras (mile 63), Praia do Balneário do Estreito (mile 104), Praia do Siriú (mile 135), Guarita State Park (mile 268), Aparados da Serra National Park (mile 319)
- Museums and history: Palácio Marcos Konder (mile 52), Museu Willy Zumblick (mile 184)
Palácio Marcos Konder
In the city of Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Palácio Marcos Konder is a 20th-century building listed as protected heritage by the FCC.
Praia do Pinho
Officially founded in 1984, Praia do Pinho in Balneário Camboriú is Brazil's first official naturist beach. The roughly 500-meter cove lies off the Interpraias road between Laranjeiras and Estaleirinho, with marked nude and clothing-optional areas.
Praia das Taquaras
Reached by the Interpraias road, Praia das Taquaras (Praia de Taquaras) in Balneário Camboriú has about 1.1 km of coarse sand and calm but deep water, popular for surf casting, plus a small fishing community.
São Miguel Aqueduct
Built in the 19th century to carry water from the São Miguel waterfall dam to the beach, this aqueduct is part of the Vila de São Miguel ensemble in Biguaçu, listed as national heritage in 1969.
Praia do Balneário do Estreito
Praia do Balneário do Estreito stretches 1.8 km on the mainland side of Florianópolis, with views of small islands in North Bay, the Hercílio Luz Bridge and, to the other side, the city of Biguaçu.
Praia do Siriú
Praia do Siriú in Garopaba, Santa Catarina, is the municipality's longest beach, with about 4 km of sand.
Museu Willy Zumblick
In downtown Tubarão, Santa Catarina, the Museu Willy Zumblick keeps a permanent exhibition of part of the collection of local-born artist Willy Zumblick.
Guarita State Park
Officially Parque Estadual José Lutzenberger, Guarita State Park in Rio Grande do Sul protects a promontory on the South Atlantic Ocean.
Aparados da Serra National Park
Created in 1959 to protect Itaimbezinho canyon, Aparados da Serra National Park spans 25,328 acres in the Serra Geral range and also includes the Fortaleza, Malacara and Índios Coroado canyons.
Arriving in Caxias do Sul
Municipal Museum of Caxias do Sul
Housed at 586 Visconde de Pelotas Street, the Municipal Museum of Caxias do Sul covers local history, art and ethnography, with a permanent collection, guided visits and temporary exhibitions.
St. Theresa's Cathedral, Caxias do Sul
St. Theresa's Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Caxias do Sul, in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state.
National Monument to the Immigrant
Standing at the entrance to Caxias do Sul on BR-116, the National Monument to the Immigrant is listed by Brazil's national heritage institute (IPHAN).
More drives to Caxias do Sul
From Joinville to other places in Brazil
- Joinville to Paranaguá
- Joinville to Ponta Grossa
- Joinville to Guarapuava
- Joinville to Itanhaém
- Joinville to Chapecó
- Joinville to Ourinhos
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Joinville to Caxias do Sul?
About 8 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 388 miles.
What is the driving distance from Joinville to Caxias do Sul?
About 388 miles (624 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Joinville to Caxias do Sul drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Brazil Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Joinville to Caxias do Sul use?
In order: BR-101, ERS-486 and BR-453. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Joinville to Caxias do Sul?
Closest to the road: Praia do Pinho (beach, mile 63, 2 mi from the route); São Miguel Aqueduct (aqueduct, mile 94, 0.2 mi from the route); Museu Willy Zumblick (museum, mile 184, 0.2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.